The Laying on of Hands by Archbishop Alipati

Dcn. Tuia Penese Afoa was ordained to the Priesthood

By Fr Bernie Graham,SDB

Savai’i, Samoa, -- On Friday 5 January 2018, Salesian Tuia Penese Afoa was ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Alipati Mataeliga of Samoa-Apia at Immaculate Conception Church in his home village of Sataua in Savai’i, Samoa.

A large congregation gathered from Samoa, Australia, Fiji and other parts of the Pacific for this wonderful occasion – his parents and other family members, parishioners from his village and other parishes in Samoa, friends including fellow students and staff from the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji, many priests of the Archdiocese, Salesians Sisters and Salesians, including Fr Will Matthews (Provincial), Fr Bernie Graham (Vice Provincial), Fr Petelo Vito Pau (Superior of the Pacific Delegation), Fr Paselio Tevaga and Fr Jim Kyaw Hoe (Rector and Vice Rector of the Formation Community in Fiji) and all the SDB and FMA in Samoa.

Fr Tuia celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving in the same Church on Sunday 7 January, the Feast of the Epiphany. Again a large number gathered as he thanked God for the gift of priesthood and all those who had supported him during his years of formation. Fafetai!

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Salesians Present at the Mass of Thanksgiving:

Fr Taisali Leiluai, Fr Mosese Tui, Fr Bernie Graham, Cl Peter Nguye, Fr Tuia Afoa, Br Barry Parker, Fr Visesio Tovie and Fr Paselio Tevaga